The Ranger:

What would you do in the same below situation?

Why even bother staying around, get the guards, women, and children and go for an extended walk to Saeden's home for a day, maybe two days depending on how long it takes for the skaldians to loot the town. I doubt there is much they would want.

That then means they could burn the place to the ground out of anger of non-payment.

Shit! I should kill them while on their boats, it's the only solution where we win and winning means living, the repercussions of the action only matter if I'm still around to face them.

'If you were alone, sure, all you have to do is stay back and let us do most of the work, ha, like always.' Grayson says and then chuckles at his joke.

'Be very careful, you will face many with few, that requires many plans upon plans so you needn't think about the next step if things go wrong.' Cinthia offers. "Mertil just asked you if Saeden doesn't make it back in time.'

"That is a rather key point to all of this," I answer, 'thanks Cinthia,' "if Saeden doesn't make it back with the ship in time to take them to Twin Rivers, we move most of them to his farmhouse, It's probably further than they would search. Plan for the worst and hope for better."

"Last night went as well as you hoped?" Mertil says watching Katelyns team steadily arrive and take seats chatting before their practice begins.

"It did, they seemed to take to it without hesitation or complaint," I reply and Beau's face flushes and she looks away. Mertle's has been opening up more lately, not sure I want to end up in a what happened last night conversation with so many others about listening.

"Heran's team asked if we could meet up now, I'll be back in a little while." Standing up, getting the bow and head out before things get more personal.

I guess I would call them Team one as they are the first practice of the day with Heran, Evaine, Niviena, Ewlene, Yesime, Anders, Isabella, and Emma. They are already good enough from twenty paces so I have them move back after every ten shots until we get to the woods, I get to listen to all of the gossip of what they plan on getting in Twin Rivers.

-----

Beau was there to team support, Mertil was there for Beau and Katelyn and someplace to be, "cheeky little bastard winked at me, and you are blushing." Mertil hip bumps Beau, they left a few moments early and walk the long way around as opposed to cutting through the woods. "Seems like everything went well?"

"It was nice," Beau replies, and then she chuckles.

"Okay, come on, stop being like this, why are you making me question you?"

"Ahh, you always make me question you, I thought it was tradition." Beau smiles and hip bumps Mertil back. "Don't be like that," she says after a grunt from Mertil, "He said he had a dream about how I like it, so he did it, and it was amazing."

"Oh!? Don't hear something like that, ever," Mertil chuckles, "Good for you."

"Pssh, I see the way he looks at you, and you both keep going back and forth with the banter and winking." Beau whispers as they continue, "Your time is near."

"Stop, you know better." Beau glances towards her house as they walk around the corner, slowing down to keep their conversation quiet.

"Just saying that you fit his type, the joking, looks, and he spends time with you, and when he finds out we are a thing, any man his age will want to be part of that."

"Any man, any age, but that's not going to happen, I know Tremont doesn't care about the others, but this, is a direct threat to his authority, not sure he could handle it."

"So you get to find it elsewhere because he can't, but not with who you want."

"Who said I wanted?" Mertil stops walking, "or he even would?" Beau gives her the look long enough for Mertil to laugh. "Okay, I noticed he might, his face is an open book for goodness sake, he has absolutely no subtlety."

"I know, he is the worst at hiding things, not that he could hide that thing." Beau laughs and leans into Mertil who pushes her off.

"I'd call you a slut, but once a decade or so doesn't fit," Mertil looks to the house again, "T did say free reign as long as nobody knew. You going to have him do the thing you like?"

"He already did," Beau rubs her butt, "the dream, remember."

"Oh! I know Kae seems exactly what we need, but T is on edge, and all of this seems too good to be true."

"For who, you or the Town? I'm not seeing the downside here?" Beau replies with conviction as this was the only way to save this place.

"The Town, he shows from somewhere that doesn't exist, has powers we've never seen before, is playing to everyone's desires, and can't be much older than Sabina."

"What's the other choice, the Jaguars eat everything, to include us if we didn't leave?"

"God no, but Kae is quickly taking over, I see the effort he puts in to keep T on top of things, but if he walked out tomorrow and said he was now in charge, everyone would cheer him on."

"You said he runs to you every time there is a change?" Beau turns and starts walking again, Mertils gives an "mmhmm' as a response as they watch him work with Heran's team. "Don't give him a reason to stop, he has been sticking to those he trusts."

"He keeps winking at me, the little shit." Mertil watches how he works with them, he is just as friendly as ever but without the things she sees him do with Sabina, Katelyn and Beau, she's seen him shy away from Triss, Emma and a few times now with Desa.

"I saw, his 'taking it without complaint', about floored me back there," Beau whispers.

Mertil laughs, "I didn't catch that at the time, Hah!, that is pretty funny."

"Made my heart stop for a moment, acting all foolishly because he teased me." Beau looks at the house, no sign of T out front. "Is he really taking Kae as a direct threat?"

"Wouldn't you if a youngster walked in and started healing everyone?"

"He did." Beau raises an eyebrow.

"Oh, yeah."

"I could always invite him over, while you were there? Tell him about us and see where it goes?" The sideways whispering has to stop now, as they are getting too close.

"We'll see. Kae!" Mertil says as they watch team one finish up, "I'd like to try that also," Mertil says turning to a nodding Beau when she turns back to ask if Beau would help her since she already practices with a team.

----------

Chuckling as I watch the most prestigious women in towns scurrying back and forth picking up their arrows and, after grabbing up a few that went long. "Beau! If you are that close to the other side, try it from there, no need to run back here." She stops and looks at me and then the wood behind her and shortly after I hear a cheer from Mertil, guessing Beau hit a tough shot.

Walking towards the targets as they finish and come back in again. "Nice work ladies, you are setting a fine example." Mertil gives me her 'don't patronize me' look, so I point towards the top of her yard where it meets the town and there is Katelyn's team with Desa watching them.

"Don't just stand there! Come on then." She waves them over.

"Mertil, can you show them what to do?" I ask loudly and she laughs.

"Sure, I'll do that," and then turns to Beau, "Show them what to do."

---------

"Wait, What? She had her entire team out there and they were hitting the targets from the trees?" Sabina asks during dinner.

"Mmhmmm, your mother's team is there now, probably doing the same."

"You said anyone can come out for more?"

"Yep." I reply and look up at Katelyn about halfway to the table with her food, shaking her head and I shrug at her.

Sabina see me shrug and looks back to see her mother, "what? Oh, I know, you think I'm being competitive, but Heran's team can hit the targets from the treeline. We haven't even tried from half that distance."

"Your Desa and Amber were just with Mertil and Beau practicing. I'm sure you could get them all together."

"Yes, of course, Uhh, I'm going to go see Heran for the afternoon." Sabina rises and takes the empties to the kitchen, washes, and then walks out. She glances my way a few times tilting her head forward and looking from under her bangs as she moves about and I smile each time I catch her.

"I might not come in tonight if she is acting like that." Katelyn looks from me to her as she leaves.

"How are you doing, with team three? You have enough to do without leading them, I could put Evaine in charge of them?"

"Nah, it gets boring in here, not sure why I hadn't gotten out more before, Beau is there and I am learning a lot about everyone from Triss, that girl gossips."

"I'm used to huge fireplaces in the middle of every Inn, some smoking up the place a bit. The smell of burning wood." I say after a long break in talking, sitting there, and just relaxing. "I don't miss the drafts coming through the door every time someone entered or left." Looking around the walls and ceiling, not a hint of smoke or soot anywhere.

"You like burning wood? With what you are?"

"We wouldn't have lasted very long without wood, as long as we give back and not abuse anything, you have no idea how much wood is used in the north.

"Did they cook the food in the middle of the room?" Katelyn leans over my shoulders her face next to mind and her arms down my chest.

"What? No, do you know what being cold means?"

"Yeah, the river and the Ocean have times when it is really cold."

"That's what its like in the air where I came from, cold winds, and the water would freeze solid while falling to the ground."

"That sounds, awful." Katelyn gives me a pitying look and I laugh.

"Some places, yeah, but we had seasons where the leaves on the trees change color and it could be a beautiful sight with snow on the ground or the spring growth. Snowball fights," The look on Katelyn's face stops me.

"Snowballs are frozen water you throw at, nevermind, it's difficult to explain." She moves me to a big chair and sits across my lap, we just relax and enjoy the company.

Falling asleep alone, 'What's it like?" I ask as I join the table with Grayson, looking around at exactly what I was talking to Katelyn about earlier, a huge Tavern with a fireplace the size of a horse drawn cart.

'New people all the time isn't so bad, food and drink are good. Not going outside is odd.' Grayson shrugs and smiles at me, 'if you could get into a bit more trouble, it would shake things up.'

'Working on it, with Twin Rivers and Skaldians and Tremont, I figure you'll get plenty of exercise."

'Stop teasing me, ahh, there she is.'

'Who? Oh.' I follow where he is looking and see her, bronzed skin, full lips, long black hair, green dress with gold bands around her arms and wrists. She looked exactly like she ruled over these lands as most of the women in the town had her features.

'If that is her, you think everyone in here is working like you and I?'

'Hmm, I've never talked to anyone in here, just watched, it makes sense.'

'Maybe you should talk to the ones that are like you are, you could help out in other areas and get out more?'

'If she'd let me, I'd take another task.'

'Pssssh, let's get this one started, before leaving for others.' A smooth perfect voice says from next to our table. I was watching her as we spoke and she went from the bar to us without any movement.

'You think here, you don't use your legs Kaethorn Olbrecht.'

"Whoa, is that my last name? Olbrecht, Olbrecht, it sounds about right." I never did remember my surname, and never went back to the also forgotten home, by the time I left Minerva's.

"Your last name literally means, of famous heritage, your parents and grandparents were embarrassments, those before them were leaders of their time, that is why Gaia loaned you to me, I thought you'd naturally rule that town and you surprised me. That and who you've been choosing."

"I heard that, so many young things, Uhh, women." He gives her a nervous look and shuts up.

"I didn't choose Beau and Mertil.' I pause as her smile radiates across the entire room.

'Mertil has prayed to me for years, and always about someone else, it is one of the many things you can not fail at fixing. She has no 'real' purpose going forward, but she has been a good steward.'

"Okay, it would be nice to know what you want to be fixed, beforehand."

'Not how it works or the others get to tell theirs the same, it is better to pick the people inclined to do it with just the slightest nudge in direction.' She looks down at me, "There are no alternate plans for her though, so saying it outright has no ramifications, she has been faithful, kind and I thought you would put Mr. Judicine out and take her as your own; she is happier now, so your course of action is acceptable."

"You on the other hand, sit in here and do nothing." She turns to Grayson.

"Where else would I go? And, I just volunteered."

"Cinthia here goes to training every day." Ninhersag nods over to where I see Cinthia sitting next to me, she wasn't there a moment ago.

"That's where you go?" He turns to her, "Did I miss where and when we were told that?"

"Help him figure it out." The goddess says to Cinthia.

"I will, mistress."

"Good, now you need your sleep, go." Everything fades. "Busy days ahead."

I feel the wolves off to the west, and more people at the docks. What if the skaldians came down while I'm asleep? Might have to drink less and sleep in smaller shifts, three to four hours to get here from Twin Rivers might mean three hour rests until they arrive.

'We'll wake you if something happens while you sleep.' Cinthia says and startles me. "We don't sleep, so we can use your skills while you are out. Saidin arrived, they went around without stopping."

'Ohh, he might not like my proposal on going around again.'

'The alternative is worse, he'll do it. Love you, get going.'

'Hey, all it took was you dying to finally tell me that.' I say to Cinthia as I get my boots on.

'Rude, and you sorta knew.'

'Was nice to hear it though,' My heart about jumped into my throat, and a face on fire when she finally said it, I walk downstairs and out the door as nobody is here. The docks have quite a few people.

"Right back around?" Saedin says as soon as he sees me, nodding upriver.

"Did you see them up there?" I ask, and he nods.

"Yes, two longboats with a few crew onboard. They watched us go by."

"We gave your passengers money to buy supplies and keep them out of the way, just in case things go poorly."

"How long do I have?" Said

"If I sense them today, I'll get you and them going, otherwise, tomorrow morning?"

"You have to keep a few back, I can't take them all."

"I'll keep the best back, they'll hide on the rooftops and only engage if threatened."

Uhh, Heran is leading the best team we have, they are way ahead of everyone else." The wrinkles and tiredness on his face disappear behind a big smile, that he pulls back down when he realizes.

"Is her team staying behind?"

"That is between you and her, on if she stays or goes."

"No thanks, she was talking about you, and Willow nonstop, Agitha can do that."

"I can do what?" She asks walking up to us.

"A group is staying behind and it seems our daughter is leading them."

"Really!?" She turns and heads towards Heran.

"Okay, a few things left to do, and then I'm going to bed." He nods and turns back to the boat.

The teams do their training with Sabina's team coming out during the break between the last group and before we all get together. Desa shows them what they did the day before so they fire from distance, pick the arrows up, and fire from the other side, back and forth, moving south and once from Mertils landing. She shooed them away when Ivana got her first long hit and everyone screamed, as others arrived they'd join them, lots of laughing and the amount of talking was astonishing, I'm sure Twin Rivers could hear them.

"I love to hear laughing and giggling again, circumstances are bad, but they have hope again," Mertil says sitting next to me. "Used to be like this all the time before the war."

"Glad you were able to keep them together, or I would be living down here by myself."

"Hmmm, you walked into a boy's dream." Mertil says watching her people.

"Normally, I'm kinda picky though, don't just hang out at just anyone's house." I take a drink of the tea she gave me, as her head turned on a swivel.

"Are you nuts? You can't just say things like that, here." She whispers and listens to the front door.

"Good to know it was where I say it and not that I said it, he's out behind the house watching them from the corner."

"Is he really? Interesting, he has been acting like he doesn't care, hmm, good. You, Be less open about that kind of stuff, my goodness, you just say whatever you feel like."

"Why not, you have been stressing about all of this, doing all the work, everyone swamps you with questions the moment you arrive anywhere." Leaning forward and pausing she leans a little towards me. "Just saying, you don't have to worry about me, I'll keep deferring the reagent-type duties to Tremont even though you do everything."

"Thanks."

"A great day today, going back to the Inn, don't be a stranger, always making me come to your house to see you." I laugh and walk down the steps. Mertil laughs behind me.

Katelyn, Sabina, and I have dinner together, she was excited about her team having fun.

"Ivana and Anders are getting better," she laughs, "I'm getting better."

"We are going to need some people to make arrows and bows if they don't do so well.." I reply.

"What!?" Sabina looks over at me and scowls at my smile. "You are mean sometimes."

"What? I was talking in general, " Chuckling, "after the enchanting of your bow you will be surprised at the difference. Doing it with or without helps in different ways, Heran starts off faster, you have a bigger jump when you get it enchanted, and both end up in the same spot based on the quality of practice and want."

Crazy night of sleeping alone, waking up to Sabina sliding into bed, "Was told this has to be quick and silent." She whispers and and gets me into her and going while I'm just scooting around to meet her needs, leaning her head back and kissing me for most of the time, she finishes, covers me up and walks out the door. What was that!?

'Sorry, that was me,' busy day tomorrow, go to sleep.' Cinthia says and puts me down.

The next morning was the normal beautiful sunshine and slight breeze from the ocean up the river, time to see Saedin off, make sure we go over where those that stay can situate themselves.

Beau and Mertil show up with Nikolas together with Desa behind them. "I will, I will, okay, I will." I hear Nikolas say as he gets his instructions.

"I'll watch them, you watch out for mine." Saedin shakes my hand and goes back on board.

The guards and a few others stay behind, we walk through town and have them setup to be on the Hall, Beau's, the stables, and Inn, Dustin, Jacob and Jamison will be with Tremont, Mertil, Beau and me.

Everyone stays at the Inn that night to make for a faster response, another full nights sleep, I wake up with Katelyn.

"Good morning."

"Hmmm, I'm surprised you didn't understand freezing, your feet are a good example."

"You're welcome." Katelyn kisses me.

"What?"

"You seem to miss all of the cold with how you talk, so you are welcome." She says and seems to mean it so I just smile and nod.

Downstairs we are first in the common room, I get a tea and Katelyn brings out some bread and cheese, a bowl of oatmeal gruel they love to serve in the mornings.

"I'd be just as happy if they don't show up at all." She says as she sets the cups and plates down.

"Agree, if they show up, I give them 400gold and they sail away, it would be great."

After a few hours, everyone is bored, "Who wants to play a game?" I offier, they follow me over to the training field. "Three people per lane." I wait until everyone is situated. "We'll go in the order you are in now. First person picks a target, if they hit it, the others have to hit the same spot. If they miss the next person goes. Start again with the next person in line.